U.S. patent number 9,071,101 [Application Number 13/396,996] was granted by the patent office on 2015-06-30 for high altitude, high voltage rear terminal block assembly.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation. The grantee listed for this patent is Edward C. Allen, Alan D. Hanson, Glenn C. Lemmers, Jr., Dhaval Patel, Laurence D. Vanek. Invention is credited to Edward C. Allen, Alan D. Hanson, Glenn C. Lemmers, Jr., Dhaval Patel, Laurence D. Vanek.
United States Patent |
9,071,101 |
Patel , et al. |
June 30, 2015 |
High altitude, high voltage rear terminal block assembly
Abstract
A disclosed terminal block assembly for a generator includes a
terminal block with a base with first and second transverse
terminal surfaces adjoining one another. One of the terminal
surfaces includes an increased width greater than a length of a
cable terminal lug for providing a lightning strike and creepage
barrier. The terminal surfaces include spaced apart protrusions
extending from the first and second surfaces to provide spaced
apart terminal areas overlapping the first and second surfaces.
First and second terminal studs are disposed within each
corresponding first and second terminal areas and are electrically
connected by a bus bar.
Inventors: |
Patel; Dhaval (Loves Park,
IL), Allen; Edward C. (Davis, IL), Hanson; Alan D.
(Winnebago, IL), Vanek; Laurence D. (Janesville, WI),
Lemmers, Jr.; Glenn C. (Loves Park, IL) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Patel; Dhaval
Allen; Edward C.
Hanson; Alan D.
Vanek; Laurence D.
Lemmers, Jr.; Glenn C. |
Loves Park
Davis
Winnebago
Janesville
Loves Park |
IL
IL
IL
WI
IL |
US
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
(Windsor Locks, CT)
|
Family
ID: |
48945023 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/396,996 |
Filed: |
February 15, 2012 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20130207494 A1 |
Aug 15, 2013 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02K
15/0062 (20130101); H02K 5/225 (20130101); F02C
7/32 (20130101); Y02T 50/60 (20130101); F05D
2220/76 (20130101); Y10T 29/49174 (20150115); Y10T
29/49009 (20150115); Y02T 50/672 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H02K
11/00 (20060101); H02K 5/22 (20060101); F02C
7/32 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;310/71
;439/709,892 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Other References
US. Appl. No. 12/872,072, filed Aug. 31, 2010, "Terminal Block
Cover with Nut Retention Feature". cited by applicant .
Prior Art--Figure A--VFSG Terminal Blocks. cited by applicant .
Prior Art--Figure B--VFSG Rear Terminal Block. cited by applicant
.
Prior Art--Figure C--VFSG Rear Terminal Block with Jumpers Removed
Showing Bus Bars. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Desai; Naishadh
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Carlson, Gaskey & Olds,
P.C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A terminal block assembly for a generator comprising: a terminal
block have a base including first and second transverse surfaces
adjoining one another, and spaced apart protrusions extending from
the first and second surfaces to provide spaced apart terminal
areas overlapping the first and second surfaces; first and second
terminal studs provided in corresponding first and second terminal
areas, wherein at least one of the terminal areas includes a length
measured from the corresponding one of the first and second
terminal studs to an end of the terminal area greater than a length
of a lug of a cable attachable to the corresponding one of the
first and second terminal studs; and a bus bar extending from the
first terminal stud to the second terminal stud providing
electrical conduction between the first and second terminal
studs.
2. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein a first width of the
first terminal area measured from the first terminal stud to a
first end is greater than a second width of the second terminal
area measured from the second terminal stud to a second end of the
second terminal area.
3. The assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the first width is
greater than a length of the lug of a cable attachable to the first
terminal stud.
4. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the base includes
flange configured to receive fasteners for securing the terminal
block to a component.
5. The assembly as recited in claim 1, comprising a cover
configured to be secured over the terminal block and including
first and second openings on opposing sides of the cover
respectively configured to receive first and second sets of
cables.
6. The assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein the cover includes a
perimeter overlapping the cable and extending over the lug, wherein
the first terminal area extends past the perimeter of the
cover.
7. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the lug includes a
barrel and a flange interconnecting the barrel, the flange
including a hole for receiving the terminal stud and a first width
of the first terminal area is greater than a distance from the
terminal lug to a distal end of the barrel.
8. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein an interface
extending from the first terminal stud to the second terminal stud
is recessed and the bus bar is received within the interface.
9. The assembly as recited in claim 1, including a centrally
orientated mounting opening recessed a distance away from the
second terminal surface.
10. A generator comprising: a generator housing; first and second
terminal blocks secured to the housing remotely from one another;
cables electrically connecting the first and second terminal blocks
to one another; and wherein the second terminal block comprises a
base and a cover, the base including first and second transverse
surfaces adjoining one another, and spaced apart protrusions
extending from the first and second surfaces to provide spaced
apart terminal areas overlapping the first and second surfaces;
first and second terminal studs provided in corresponding first and
second terminal areas, wherein at least one of the terminal areas
includes a length measured from the corresponding one of the first
and second terminal studs to an end of the terminal area greater
than a length of a lug of a cable attachable to the corresponding
one of the first and second terminal studs; and a bus bar extending
from the first terminal stud to the second terminal stud providing
electrical conduction between the first and second terminal
studs.
11. The generator according to claim 10, wherein the cables include
a lug arranged in a terminal area between the base and the cover,
the lug secured to the terminal stud with a nut.
12. The generator according to claim 10, wherein the lug includes a
barrel and a flange having an opening for receiving the first
terminal stud and the length of the first terminal area is greater
than a distance from the first terminal stud to a distal end of the
barrel when secured to the first terminal stud.
13. The generator as recited in claim 10, wherein a first width of
the first terminal area measured from the first terminal stud to a
first end is greater than a second width of the second terminal
area measured from the second terminal stud to a second end of the
second terminal area.
14. The generator as recited in claim 10, comprising a cover
configured to be secured over the second terminal block and
including first and second openings on opposing sides of the cover
respectively configured to receive first and second sets of
cables.
15. The generator as recited in claim 14, wherein the cover
includes a perimeter overlapping the cable and extending over the
lug, wherein the first terminal area extends past the perimeter of
the cover.
Description
BACKGROUND
This disclosure relates to a terminal block assembly, and more
particularly, to a rear terminal block assembly for use on a gas
turbine engine generator.
In gas turbine engine generator applications, a terminal block
assembly provides a connection between the phase leads and the
generator stator. The terminal block assembly is used to protect
the phase terminals from arcing from the terminal leads and
adjacent conducting surfaces. The terminal block assembly is also
used to protect the phase terminals from foreign object debris that
could cause electrical shorting. In some applications, a rear
terminal block assembly is also used to provide a more accessible
location to make electrical connections than the terminal block
assembly connected to the stator.
Additionally, the terminal block assemblies must maintain operating
electrical integrity during lightning strikes, which may occur at
high altitude. Thus, the terminal block assemblies must withstand
significant voltages at high altitude conditions.
SUMMARY
An example disclosed terminal block assembly for a generator
includes a terminal block with a base with first and second
transverse terminal surfaces adjoining one another. One of the
terminal surfaces includes an increased width greater than a length
of a cable terminal lug for providing a lightening strike barrier.
The terminal surfaces include spaced apart protrusions extending
from the first and second surfaces to provide spaced apart terminal
areas overlapping the first and second surfaces. First and second
terminal studs are disposed within each corresponding first and
second terminal areas and are electrical connected by a bus
bar.
These and other features disclosed herein can be best understood
from the following specification and drawings, the following of
which is a brief description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example gas turbine engine.
FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of an example generator having a
first and second terminal block assemblies electrically connected
to one another by cables.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the second terminal block assembly without
a cover.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the second terminal block assembly without
the cover and cables.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a front side of the second terminal
block assembly.
FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a part of an example cable.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a backside of the second terminal
block assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
An example gas turbine engine 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1. The gas
turbine engine 10 includes a core 12 supported relative to a fan
case 14 in a high bypass configuration. One or more generators 16,
18 are supported on the engine 10. The fan case 14 and generators
16, 18 are covered by a fan nacelle 20. The fan nacelle 20 can
obstruct maintenance workers from access to the generators 16, 18.
In such instances, it may be desirable to configure the interface
where the aircraft power feeders connect to the generator terminal
block for improved access.
Referring to FIG. 2, one arrangement is illustrated that provides
maintenance workers with easier access to the terminal block of the
generator 16. A first terminal block assembly 24 provides the
exterior electrical connection to the interiorly located stator
within the housing 22 of the generator 16. Cables 28 electrically
connect the first terminal block assembly 24 to a second terminal
block assembly 26 that is positioned in a location more easily
accessible by a maintenance workers. The second terminal block
assembly 26 includes a terminal block 30 mounted to the housing 22.
A cover 32 is secured relative to the terminal block 30 over the
cables 28, which extend from a first opening 34 provided by the
cover 32. A second opening 36 provided by the cover 32 provides for
connection of other cables not shown here.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the terminal block 30 includes first
and second adjoining terminal surfaces 40, 42 that are transversely
arranged relative to one another. The first and second surfaces 40,
42 are arranged at an angle relative to one another. Protrusions or
ribs 44 extend from and overlap the first and second surfaces 40,
42 on a topside 74 of the block 30 and are spaced apart from one
another to provide terminal areas at which the cables 28 are
connected. A first terminal stud 46 is provided at each of the
first terminal surfaces 40. A second terminal stud 48 extends from
the second terminal surface 42. The terminal studs 46, 48 are
separated and shielded from the housing 22 by the block 30. The
block 30 is fabricated from an insulating material such as a
composite plastic material having sufficient structural durability
to operate in the environment of the aircraft engine.
The insulating material provided by the block 30 prevents an
electrical ground between the terminal cables 28, first and second
terminal studs 46, 48 and the housing 22. Fasteners 45 secure the
block 30 to the housing 22. Nuts 47 are threadingly received onto
the terminal studs 46, 48 to secure the cables 28 to the block 30,
as illustrated in FIG. 4. A bus bar 50 extends between the first
terminal stud 46 and the second terminal stud 48 to provide an
electrical connection. The bus bars 50 included rounded edges and
are configured to bend around the transverse interface between the
first and second terminal surfaces 40, 42. A recess 54 is defined
between each set of first and second terminal studs 46, 48 within
which the bus bar 50 is received. The bus bar 50 is thereby even
with or below the first and second terminal surfaces 46, 48.
Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, each of the cables 28 includes a
lug 58 having a barrel 60 and a flange 62 extending from the barrel
60. The flange 62 defines an opening 65 for receiving a terminal
stud 46. Nuts 47 are received on each terminal stud 46, 48 to
secure the corresponding terminal lug 58.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 with continued reference to FIG. 6, the
block 30 includes a shelf 52 that extends outwardly from the first
terminals 46 a first width 56. The first width 56 provides a first
terminal area 40 that is larger than that of the second terminal
area 42. The first terminal area overlaps a portion of the
generator 16 that is closer to the housing 22 that cables than
would extend in close proximity to the housing 22. The shelf 52
shields the lugs 58 and cables 28 from the housing such that
extreme electrical events such as during a lightening strike;
electrical energy is prevented from direct arcing between the
housing 22 and the cables 28 and/or lugs 58. In addition to
preventing a direct arc, the shelf 52 sizing provides protection
against an arc that follows a creepage path between the housing 22
and the cables 28 and/or lugs 58. The shelf 52 provides protection
against a creepage path by increasing the distance that debris can
deposit to form a conductive bridge.
The example shelf 52 includes a first width 56 measured from the
first terminal stud 46 to an end portion of the shelf. A second
width 68 measured from the second terminal stud 48 to an end of the
second terminal area 42 is less than the first width 56. The first
width 56 is greater than a length 64 measured from the opening 65
of the lug to the end of the barrel 60. The increased width 56
shields the lug 58 and a portion of the cable from the housing 22
to prevent any undesired cross conduction. The first terminal areas
40 are angled relative to the second terminal areas 42 to provide
for application specific routing and guiding of the cables 28.
Moreover, the ribs 44 provide a separation function to prevent
undesired contact or conduction between cables.
Referring to FIG. 7 with continued reference to FIG. 5, the block
30 includes a backside 72 that is faced toward the housing 22 when
in an assembled condition. The block 30 includes mounting flanges
70 that include openings for fasteners 45. The fasteners secure the
clock 30 to the housing and can be a path for electrical conduction
in the event of a lightening strike. Accordingly, the flanges 70
extend away from the terminal lugs 58 to space the fasteners 45
apart from the electrical connection between the lugs 58 and the
terminal studs 46, 48. A central mounting opening 66 disposed on
the back side 72 is recessed to further space the fastener received
therein apart from the electrically conductive surfaces of the
second terminal assembly 26.
The example terminal block assembly 26 provides the desired ease of
connection while also preventing undesired arcing during high
electrical energy events such as lightening strikes.
Although an example embodiment has been disclosed, a worker of
ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain
modifications would come within the scope of this disclosure. For
that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine
the scope and content of this invention.
* * * * *